In wake of arrest in Broomfield, police say public can help handcuff illegal massage shops

Industry, officials urge people to report suspicions

SPA SEARCH: An officer stands watch at the door of Spring Spa during the search earlier this month. Police and regulatory and industry officials say a watchful public is key to finding massage businesses offering illegal services. (Megan Quinn / Broomfield Enterprise)

Resources

• To report a suspicious incident related to a massage business in Broomfield, call police at 303-438-6400

• Consumers can verify a massage therapy license, check for discipline or file a complaint against a massage therapist at askdora.colorado.gov. Click on the "Consumers" tab, then "Check license or disciplinary action."

When it comes to regulating massage-related businesses in Colorado, oftentimes customers are the first and best defense against those operating outside of the law and under the radar.

The state has a number of licensing and regulatory requirements for massage therapists, but that doesn't prevent businesses from hanging their shingles while not following the rules. And industry professionals, state regulators and police said prostitution and other illegal operations can be hard to prove without help from customers who report suspicious activity.

Such reports led Broomfield police earlier this month to search Spring Spa, 1004 Depot Hill Road, where a woman was arrested on suspicion of prostitution before being released pending charges.

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In Colorado, all massage therapists must be licensed through the state's Department of Regulatory Agencies, or DORA. Massage therapy students also must meet educational and exam requirements before calling themselves registered massage therapists or offering massage services at a business.

Massage therapists follow strict regulations and must renew their registration every two years, said Cory Everett, director of strategic and external affairs at DORA.

But massage therapy licenses only apply to massage therapists themselves, not massage businesses.

In Broomfield, all businesses, including massage businesses, must meet zoning requirements and get building permits if necessary, but not business licenses, which Broomfield doesn't issue, said Kevin Standbridge, assistant city and county manager.

Massage businesses also typically don't get sales tax licenses, because Broomfield does not collect sales tax on services, according to the Broomfield Assessor's Office.

Tips from public are key

Those who spot something suspicious at a massage business often serve as the eyes and ears for law enforcement and state regulators.

Police said massage-related prostitution cases are not common in Broomfield, but reports of possible illegal activity could increase since 61-year-old Kuaglan Zhang was arrested on June 11 on suspicion of prostitution. She was taken to Broomfield County jail and later released.

As of press time, no one has been charged in the investigation of Spring Spa, said police spokeswoman Joleen Reefe.

Police rely on reports from people who see something unusual at businesses offering massage services, said Police Chief Tom Deland.

Employees at businesses near Spring Spa said they suspected for months that the massage parlor was providing erotic services. Several people told a police detective they had seen men circle the parking lot before nervously entering the spa.

Another employee of a nearby business said men were often seen coming and going after the spa's posted business hours, but said no one had seen anything illegal.

Deland would not speak specifically about the Spring Spa case, but said police use information from the public to decide whether to investigate a massage business suspected of offering sexual services.

Tips from the public could include customers who walk into a business and see something that looks off, such as an employee who hints at services not typically advertised, he said.

Other tips could come from basic internet research, he said.

Spring Spa was listed on a website that features reviews of massage parlors billed as offering "erotic" services, along with several other businesses with Broomfield addresses.

Deland said police are aware of the site, and the listing means "there may be additional locations" police could investigate, but Deland would not say whether specific locations are under investigation.

Yet Deland said a listing on a website is not enough for massage businesses to face police scrutiny, he said.

Without substantial evidence, "we don't make assumptions that a (massage business) is operating illegally," he said.

If there does appear to be cause for investigation, police might visit the business to talk with the owner or do surveillance, he said.

The last massage parlor raid in Broomfield was in 2008, when police raided Tokyo Sauna, 555 Highway 287, Unit L. The spa owner, an employee and a customer were arrested for activities related to prostitution. Tokyo Sauna closed after the raid.

Industry welcomes reports

Those who work in the massage therapy industry also ask customers to make complaints to law enforcement if they see or experience something that seems illegal.

Ron Precht, a spokesman for the American Massage Therapy Association, said the industry aims to offer professional and regulated services. Suspected prostitution or sex-related services can undermine that goal, he said.

The association connects consumers with certified massage therapists who provide different kinds of massage specialties, including relaxation massage and massage for conditions such as fibromyalgia, back problems or other health problems, Precht said.

Check it out in advance

DORA has a list of actions that are prohibited under state regulations, such as engaging in sexual acts with customers, Everett said. Massage therapists' DORA-regulated offenses are listed on the DORA website, she said.

Most of the offenses listed on the DORA site are originally reported by customers, Everett said.

"Our process is complaint-driven, if someone feels something needs to come to light," she said.

DORA's license check process is one way for customers to look into massage therapists before confirming an appointment or finding someone new for their massage needs, she said.

A search of DORA did not reveal a license for Zhang, the woman arrested at Spring Spa. Police are not sure if she is the owner or an employee of the spa.

Deborah Hatch, president of the American Massage Therapy Association's Colorado chapter, said customers can do several things to ensure they are visiting a massage therapist with a good record.

In Colorado, massage therapists must have insurance, pass a background check and belong to a reputable massage therapy association, she said.

The national AMTA website offers a list of therapists in good standing, she said. Customers also can ask massage therapists to provide their license number, because the information is public record, she said. That information can be used to look up past history on the DORA site.

Even if a massage therapist seems reputable, comfort and safety is key, Hatch said.

"There are people who work outside the law in every profession," she said. "The bottom line is, if you're not comfortable in a business, if it doesn't feel right, you do not need to stay."

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